How Do Vapes Affect the Environment?
The environmental impact of used vape products has become a big topic of discussion in recent years - especially regarding disposable vapes that are disposed of irresponsibly or incorrectly. This has left many adult users wondering - exactly how do used vape products affect the environment? Are there such things as more sustainable vapes? And what happens to disposable vape waste?
Read on to learn about these topics and more, as we explore the environmental impact of vape waste further.
The Environmental Impact of Vape Waste
Using and disposing of vape products can affect the environment in different ways. One of the most talked about impacts is that of disposable vapes which are not correctly disposed of after use. As their name suggests, disposable vapes aren’t typically designed for long-term use, and once they’ve been depleted of e-liquid or battery, should be disposed of responsibly.
However, disposable vapes aren’t always disposed of responsibly and many are not recycled. When incorrectly disposed of, these products may impact the environment. When disposable vapes are thrown into general waste bins, they typically end up in one of two places - in a landfill or an incinerator. When incinerated, disposable vapes may release greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, as disposable vapes use lithium batteries, their improper disposal can also pose a fire risk.
If you use a vape product, including disposable vapes, you should check manufacturer’s instructions on how to correctly dispose of your device.
Are Vapes Bad for the Environment?
Improper disposal of vapes isn’t the only possible environmental impact of vaping. There are a few other aspects to vapes that may affect the environment in a negative way. Therefore, if you’re an adult vaper, it’s important to keep these aspects in mind to try and reduce the impact your vape has on the environment.
Vape waste from e-liquids: If e-liquid leaks out of a device or container, it could harm or contaminate the environment around it. Therefore, it’s important to prevent e-liquids from spilling. If you have a refillable device, avoid any spillage while topping it up with e-liquid, and ensure the tank or pod is properly sealed afterward. The same applies to e-liquid containers. Avoid spills when transferring e-liquid from the container to the device, and always secure the lid onto the container when not in use. Check manufacturer guidelines on how best to dispose of your used pods and e-liquid containers.
Electronic vape waste: E-cigarettes generate electronic waste (otherwise known as e-waste). As previously mentioned, improper disposal of these electronic devices can also end up adding to greenhouse gases and pose fire safety risks if not disposed on responsibly. This is why it’s crucial to dispose of e-cigarettes properly, as instructed by the device manufacturer - which we discuss in more detail further down the page.
Plastic vape waste: Many components of vapes, including the device and the packaging it comes in, are made from plastic. This can contribute to plastic pollution, making it important to avoid littering.
With all this in mind, are vapes bad for the environment? Like many products, vape products may have an impact on the environment when they are disposed of. However, this impact can become significantly worse when they’re not used or disposed of properly.
Sustainable Vape Practises
While vapes can impact the environment, there are certain actions you can take to reduce this.
Reduce Disposable Vape Waste
If you’re currently using disposable devices, you could reduce the disposable vape waste by opting for a rechargeable vape instead.
There are two common types of e-cigarette devices available: rechargeable vapes (like our VEEV one pod-based device) and disposable vapes. Unlike disposables, rechargeable devices can typically be refilled with e-liquid and recharged. This means you can often use these devices for longer, possibly reducing the amount of vape waste you’re producing by minimising the amount of vape parts you’re throwing away.
Find out more about how rechargeable vapes compare to disposable options in our article Disposable vs Refillable Vapes: What Are the Differences?
Recycle Vapes
It’s important to recycle vape products where possible, as this helps to reduce the environmental impacts of landfill waste and improper vape disposal. Many disposable and rechargeable vapes can be recycled, however, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on exactly how to do this. You can also find further guidance on how to recycle vapes via the Recycle Your Electricals campaign.
Be Smart When Charging Your Device
Aside from reducing the amount of vape waste, having a rechargeable battery can also help minimise your environmental impact. To achieve this, be smart about how you charge your vape. Make sure to unplug it once it reaches a full charge. Keeping your device plugged in even after it’s fully charged can shorten the battery’s lifespan and use more energy than necessary.
The VEEV Recycling Programme
We’re conscious about waste reduction and responsible consumption. So, when you purchase a VEEV vape from us, we encourage you to return your used/depleted devices back to us, where we can dispose of them responsibly via our recycling programme. You can return your used VEEV products for recycling* and get rewarded.
Discover more about VEEV and our recycling programme by following the links. Recycle 4-10 items and you can get a £5 voucher to use on any product on IQOS.com
* Return your device and we will recycle the recyclable components.
Interested in rechargeable vapes? Shop our pod-based VEEV ONE vape devices and compatible pods.
Smoke-free products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.
This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.
